Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Determining your pulse rate is one of the steps you can take on your own in determining your risk of a heart attack. Although there are general guidelines for a normal pulse rate, there are differences in average rates between men and women. Certain factors also put you at risk of heart-related complications.
Resting Rate
The Mayo Clinic explains that the more active you are, the lower your resting pulse rate is, usually between 40 and 60 beats per minute. A lower rate usually indicates that you are physically fit. Your pulse rate is easily measured at home. Place two fingers on your wrist or the side of your neck and count your pulse for 15 seconds. According to the Mayo Clinic, your resting pulse rate per minute is calculated by multiplying this number by four. For example, if you count 20 pulses in 15, seconds, your resting rate is 60.
Average Rates in Women
Although the Mayo Clinic reports that the resting rate in adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, the Cleveland Clinic points out that the pulse rate is generally higher in women. This is attributed to the fact that the sinoatrial node within the heart has a shorter recovery time in women. The sinoatrial node is responsible for sending electrical impulses to dictate the rate of your pulse. Pregnancy Baby Care reports that the average pulse rate in women is 70 beats per minute.
General Factors
Certain temporary day-to-day factors influence your heart rate. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include your emotional state, body position, activity level and the air temperature. These factors generally do not drastically change your pulse. Factors which may dramatically affect your pulse include your weight, fitness level, medications and during times of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy. Pregnancy Baby Care explains that during pregnancy, your resting pulse ranges between 85 and 90 beats per minute, but can reach as high as 140 beats.
Abnormal Rate
According to the Mayo Clinic, a resting heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute is indicative of a health problem, especially if you have experience accompanying dizziness and faintness. A rate below 60 is also indicative of a problem, particularly if you are not an athletic person. If you are pregnant, your doctor will tell you what a normal pulse is for you based on your overall health as well as how many babies you have had in the past.
Considerations
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 400,000 women die from sudden cardiac arrest per year. Sudden cardiac arrest is a condition in which your heart suddenly loses function. The Cleveland Clinic reports that, while women are not as at risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest, there are certain underlying factors that women sometimes fail to identify in time. Family history of heart attack, hypertension, smoking and diabetes are all factors that can increase your risk of sudden cardiac death. The Cleveland Clinic recommends that all women have regular screenings, especially if any such risk factors are present. Women are also more prone to heart arrhythmias than men.
